LUHANSK, May 22 (RIA Novosti) – The self-proclaimed People’s Republic of Luhansk in eastern Ukraine is planning to impose martial law, a source in the republic’s leadership told RIA Novosti on Thursday.
“We are implementing martial law, this will be announced at 11:00 a.m. [8:00 a.m. GMT],” the source said.
Armed clashes are currently underway in northern Luhansk Region between self-defense forces and Kiev's loyalist troops
Earlier reports said Kiev was dispatching large numbers of military forces to Luhansk. Local authorities are on high alert in preparation for an assault.
In response to growing tensions in Ukraine’s eastern regions, the interim Ukrainian government announced the beginning of a special operation to crack down on the protesters in mid-April. The operation that allowed for the use of military force against civilians led to dozens of deaths and injuries.
The Ukrainian parliament approved a so-called memorandum of peace and consent on Tuesday, calling on the troops in eastern Ukraine to return to permanent bases. However, the special operation is continuing in the region.
The self-proclaimed Luhansk and Donetsk people’s republics held referendums on self-determination on May 11, with over 90 percent of voters supporting greater autonomy.
